Curtain-stretcher.



' No. 809,684. PATENTED JAN. 9, 1906.

P. M. HAYNES.

CURTAIN STRETGHER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 28, 1905.

FEED STATES rafrnr orrien Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 9, 1906.

Application filed January 28, 1905. Serial No. 243,097.

To @ZZ Ll/71,0177, t may concern:

Beit known that l, FREDERICK M. HAYNEs, a citizen of the United States,residingat Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, haveinvented new and useful linprovements in Curtain-Stretchers, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to a joint for connecting the sectional bars of acurtain-stretcher and the like, and has the object to provide a jointfor this purpose which is very simple and cheap in construction andeasily operated and which holds the bars rigidly in position while inuse.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a face view of a curtainstretcher, showing my improved joint applied to the sectional barsthereof. Fig..2 is a similar view of one of the joints, on an enlargedscale. Fig. 3 is an edge view of the same. Fig. 4 is a crosssection ofthe joint in line 4t 4, Fig` 3.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views.

A A represent the transverse bars, and B B the longitudinal bars,constituting the frameof the curtain-stretcher. Each of said bars has arow of pins c on its inner longitudinallyrabbeted edge c, whereby theedge of the lace curtain E is fastened to the frame preparatory todrying and stretching the same. The crossed or overlying outer ends ofadjacent bars of the frame may be adjustably connected in any suitablemanner-for instance, as shown in the drawings, by means of thumbbolts F,passing through longitudinal slotsf in the bars. Each of the transversebars is comparatively short and constructed in one piece; but thelongitudinal bars owing to their greater length are each divided andconstructed of two pieces or sections t b, which are detachablyconnected to permitof greater compactness in storing or shipping thesame.

My improved joint serves to connect the sections of each longitudinalbar and is constructed as follows: The opposing ends of the sections ofeach longitudinal bar are reduced, so as to form tongues G G thereon.The tongue G of the section l) forms an extension of its back or underside, while the tongue G forms an extension of the front or upper sideof the other section t. These tongues overlap one another in the form ofa scarf-joint and are detachably connected, preferably by twothumb-bolts H passing through the same. Each of the tongues bears at itsouter or free end against the shoulder formed at the base or inner endof the opposing tongue.

ln order to render the scarf-joints more rigid and prevent the sectionalbars from being distorted or bent inwardly at the joints by the pull ofthe curtain on the saine, the coperating shoulders of the tongues andbars are so constructed that they are capable of more e'll'ectuallyresisting inward pull on the sectional bars at the center thereof.purpose the outer end or shoulder t of the tongue G and the shoulder iat the base of the tongue G are oblique or inclined in one direction,while the outer end or shoulder of the tongue G and the shoulder y" atthe base of the tongue G are oblique or inclined in the oppositedirection, the relative arrangement of the two pairs of shoulders beingsuch that they converge inwardly or in the direction of the pull of thecurtain, as shown in Figs. l and 2. By this construction of theshoulders the bearing-surface thereof is materially increased and thejoint is stiflened against inward displacement without the addition ofany extra parts and without increasing the cost of the joint. In orderto also prevent lateral displacement of the tongues relatively to eachother, the shoulders i j at the base of the tongues are undercut on anincline or bevel and the shoulders 'i j at the ends of the tonguescooperating therewith are correspondingly chamfered or beveled to fitsaid undercut shoulders, as shown in Fig. 3. By this means the end ofeach tongue is securely interlocked with the opposing section,preventing lateral displacement of these parts relatively to each otherand producing a joint which is as strong as any part of the bar.

l claim as my invention- 1. A curtain-stretcher comprising a divided barthe sections of which are connected by a joint consisting of reducedportions or tongues arranged on the inner opposing ends of saidsections, each tongue having oblique shoulders at its inner and outerends which converge toward the inner side of the respective section,said tongues overlapping each other and each bearing with its obliqueouter shoulder against the oblique inner shoulder of the other tongue,and means for detachably connecting said tongues, substantially Vas setforth.

2. A curtaiibstretcher comprising a divided bar the sections of whichare connected by a j oint consisting of reduced portions or tonguesarranged on the inner opposing ends of said For this sections, eachtongue having oblique shoultongue, and Ineens for det'aohably oonneot-1o ders at its inner and outer ends which ooning said tongues,substantially as set forth. verge toward the inner side of therespective Witness my hand this 26th day of January, lection eachtongite heiving its inner sou 1905.

5 er un erout on a, eve an its outer s ou der beveled correspondinglyand said tongues FREDERICK M' HAYNES' overlapping each other and eeohengaging its Witnesses: oblique beveled outer shoulder -with the T HEO.L. POPP, oblique undercut inner shoulder of the other E. M. GRAHAM.

